Apparatus, and Associated Method, for Facilitating Selection by a Mobile Node of a Network Through Which to Communicate Using a Hierarchical Selection Process

1. Apparatus for a mobile node to facilitate selection of at least a first selected network of a group of networks with which to attempt, by the mobile node, to communicate data, said apparatus comprising: a first storage entity embodied at the mobile node, said first storage entity for storing a first list of entries identifying a first set of networks of the group of networks; at least a second storage entity embodied at the mobile node, said at least second storage entity for storing at least a second list of entries identifying at least a second set of networks of the group of networks; an available-network-list creator embodied at the mobile node, said available-network-list creator for creating an available-network-list of entries identifying which, if any, networks of the group of networks are within communication range of the mobile node; a selector adapted to receive indications of the first list of entries stored at said first storage entity, to receive indications of the at least the second list of entries stored at said at least second storage entity, and to receive indications of the available list of entries, said selector for selecting which, if any, network to be the at least the first selected network with which to attempt to communicate the data, selection made by said selector first of networks, if any, listed on both the first list and the available list and thereafter, if necessary, of networks, if any, listed on both the second list and the available list.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the networks of the group of networks comprises wireless local area networks, each wireless local area network identified by a service set identity, wherein each of the wireless local area networks broadcasts control signals that include values of the service set identity by which the wireless local area network is identified, and wherein said available-network-list creator is adapted to receive indications of the service set identity contained in the control signals broadcast by the wireless local area networks within communication range of the mobile node.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first list of entries, stored at said first storage entity and which identify the first set of networks, identify each network of the first set by the service set identity associated therewith.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second list of entries, stored at said second storage entity and which identify the second set of networks identify each network of the second set by the service set identity associated therewith.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile node is associated with a home network, the home network forming a cellular network operable pursuant to a selected cellular standard protocol, wherein the networks of the group of networks comprise wireless local area networks operable pursuant to a wireless local area network standard protocol, wherein the mobile node is selectably operable pursuant to either of the cellular standard protocol and the wireless local area network standard protocol, and wherein, when said selector selects said first selected network, the mobile node operates pursuant to the wireless local area network protocol to communicate with the first selected network.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the cellular network forming the home network associated with the mobile node is operated by a home-network operator, wherein at least one of the networks of the group of networks that comprise the wireless local area networks is also operated by the home-network operator and wherein the first set of networks, identities of which form the first list stored at said first storage entity, comprises the at least one of the networks of the group of networks that is operated by the home-network operator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said selector selects a network, an identity of which is stored at said first storage entity, if any, of the group of networks that is operated by the home-network operator as the first selected network with which to communicate the data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one network of the group of networks that is operated by the home-network operator comprises a first home-network-operated network and at least a second home-network-operated network, wherein identities of the first and at least second home-network-operated networks are stored at said first storage entity, wherein the available-network-list created by said available-network-list creator contains the identities of both of the first and the second home-network-operated networks, and wherein said selector selects one of the first and the second home-network-operated networks as the first selected network according to a selection critena.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein, if the mobile node is unable to communicate the data to a first selected one of the first and the second home-network-operated networks selected to be the first selected network, said selector selects another of the first and the second home-network-operated networks as the first selected network.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the cellular network forming the home network associated with the mobile node is operated by a home network operator, wherein at least one of the networks of the group of networks is operated by a non-home network operator, and wherein the at least the second set of networks, identities of which form the at least the second list stored at said at least second storage entity comprises the at least one of the networks of the group of networks that is operated by the non-home network operator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the home network operator and the non-home network operator maintain an affiliation therebetween and wherein the at least one of the networks of the group of networks that is operated by the non-home network operator, an identity of which forms at least part of the second list stored at said second storage entity, is operated by the non-home network operator with whom the affiliation is maintained.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said selector selects a network, an identity of which is stored at said second storage entity, if any, of the group of networks that is operated by the non-home network operator as the first selected network with which to communicate the data when the network that is operated by the non-home network operator is contained on both the available-network-list and the second list and communications are not effectuated with any network operated by the home network operator, listed at said first storage entity.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least second storage entity comprises said second storage entity and at least a third storage entity, said third storage entity for storing a third list of entries identifying at least a third set of networks of the group of networks.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said selector further selects, if necessary, a network, if any, identified at the third list stored at said storage entity as the first selected network with which to communicate data.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least third storage entity comprises said third storage and at least a fourth storage entity, said fourth storage entity for storing a fourth list of entries identifying at least a fourth set of networks of the group of networks.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said selector further selects, if necessary, a network, if any, identified at the fourth list stored at said fourth storage entity as the first selected network with which to communicate data.

17. A method for facilitating selection of at least a first selected network of a group of networks with which to attempt, by a mobile node, to communicate the data, said method comprising: storing a first list of entries identifying a first set of networks of the group of networks, each network identified in the first list being a network with which the mobile node is permitted to communicate; storing at least a second list of entries identifying at least a second set of networks of the group of networks, each network identified in the second list being a network with which the mobile node is permitted to communicate; creating an available-network list of entries identifying which, if any, networks of the group of networks are within communication range of the mobile node; selecting which, if any, network to be the at least the first selected network with which to attempt to communicate the data, selection first made of networks, if any, listed on both the first list and the available list and thereafter, if necessary, of networks, if any, listed on both the first list and the available list.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the operation of storing at least a third list of entries identifying at least a third set of networks of the group of networks and wherein said operation of selecting further comprises the operation of selecting, if necessary, a network, if any, identified at the third list.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the operation of storing at least a fourth list of entries identifying at least a fourth set of networks and wherein said operation of selecting further comprises the operation of selecting, if necessary, a network, if any, identified at the third list.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the operation of attempting to communicate with the first selected network selected during said operation of selecting.